Marsh went 0-for-3 with a walk, a stolen base and two strikeouts in Sunday's loss against Atlanta. Marsh walked and swiped second in the fourth inning to match a career-high with his 10th stolen base of the season. It's his third season with at least 10 stolen bases, but he did so in his 69th game this season, when he needed 134 and 133 games to do so in 2022 and 2023, respectively. The 26-year-old is hitting .261/.344/.408 with 7 homers and 32 RBI in his fourth season.
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Marsh went 0-for-3 with a walk, a stolen base and two strikeouts in Sunday's loss against Atlanta. Marsh walked and swiped second in the fourth inning to match a career-high with his 10th stolen base of the season. It's his third season with at least 10 stolen bases, but he did so in his 69th game this season, when he needed 134 and 133 games to do so in 2022 and 2023, respectively. The 26-year-old is hitting .261/.344/.408 with 7 homers and 32 RBI in his fourth season.
Mercado (1-1) took the loss Sunday against Atlanta. He allowed five runs on five hits, three walks and a strikeout over 1.2 innings. Mercado was given another start after a solid outing against the Cubs on Tuesday. Unfortunately, the rookie right-hander was chased early on Sunday after allowing three homers in the second inning. It was the shortest outing by a Phillies starter this season. With Taijuan Walker (finger) and Spencer Turnbull (lat) both out through the All-Star break, Mercado should be given more opportunities to gain valuable experience.
Phillies manager Rob Thomson confirmed Sunday that Schwarber (groin) will be activated from the 10-day injured list prior to Tuesday's series opener versus the Dodgers, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports. After running on the field at approximately 90 percent intensity Saturday, Schwarber cleared the final hurdle in his recovery from a left groin strain by sprinting at full speed during a pregame workout Sunday. The Phillies apparently feel comfortable enough with Schwarber's health to let him return from the IL without heading out on a rehab assignment beforehand. Schwarber has made just three of his 78 starts in left field this season, and the Phillies will most likely deploy him strictly as a designated hitter during the upcoming week to lessen the possibility of a setback with the groin heading into the All-Star break. The 31-year-old's upcoming return will presumably result in fewer opportunities for David Dahl.
Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Sunday that Harper (hamstring) is "in play" to be activated from the 10-day injured list ahead of Tuesday's game against the Dodgers, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports. While Thomson confirmed that Kyle Schwarber (groin) will be back with the big club Tuesday, the skipper was less certain that Harper will be ready to go for the start of the three-game series with the NL West leaders. On a positive note, Harper ran on the field for a second straight day Sunday, with Zolecki relaying that the first baseman appeared to be moving at close to 100 percent intensity. Harper has been on the IL since June 28 with a left hamstring strain, with his absence opening up regular playing time at first base for Kody Clemens against right-handed pitching.
Rojas will start in center field and bat ninth in Sunday's game in Atlanta. Rojas has now occupied center field in eight of the Phillies' nine games since he was called up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on June 28. Though he's getting on base at a .240 clip since his promotion, Rojas has contributed a pair of stolen bases along with upgrading the Phillies' defense in the outfield. Playing time could be harder to come by for Rojas when Kyle Schwarber (groin) returns from the injured list, however, as Nick Castellanos would see fewer opportunities at designated hitter while taking back a regular spot in right field.
Stubbs will start at catcher and bat eighth in Sunday's game against Atlanta. After sitting out in three of the past four games, Stubbs is back behind the dish for the series finale in Atlanta. In two of those three games that the lefty-hitting Stubbs didn't start, the Phillies opposed left-handed pitchers, so Stubbs would still seem to have a hold on the larger portion of a timeshare at catcher with the switch-hitting Rafael Marchan. Both backstops will see their opportunities decline once J.T. Realmuto (knee) returns from the injured list.
Suarez (10-3) allowed five runs on six hits and two walks while striking out seven over five innings to take the loss versus Atlanta on Saturday. Only three Atlanta batters got hits in the contest, but they each had two against Suarez. Ozzie Albies and Marcell Ozuna each homered and combined to drive in all five runs. Suarez has allowed 15 runs (13 earned) across 15.2 innings over his last three starts, accounting for three of the four times he's given up at least four runs this year. He's at a 2.58 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 106:23 K:BB through 108 innings over 18 starts. Suarez will look to end his early-summer swoon in a favorable home start versus the Athletics next week.
Manager Rob Thomson said Saturday that Harper (hamstring) had a "good day" running the bases and will run the bases again Sunday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports. Harper has been dealing with a low-grade hamstring strain since June 27 but has been progressing well enough to potentially return prior to the All-Star break. The 31-year-old was participating in on-field drills at 70-75 percent intensity earlier this week and is slated to run the bases again Sunday. Harper becomes eligible to come off the injured list Tuesday.
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